Safety and Effectiveness of Administering an HIV Vaccine in the Groin Versus the Arm

This study has been completed.

Sponsor:

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:

NCT00076817

First Posted: February 6, 2004

Last Update Posted: October 29, 2012

The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government.
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The purpose of this study is to determine the safety of and immune system response to the ALVAC-HIV (vCP205) vaccine when it is injected either into the groin area or into the arm. The goal is to determine if injecting the vaccine into the groin area produces a better immune response in the lining of the rectum.

Immunogenicity of SC vaccination with four doses of vCP205 administered in the groin area versus four doses administered IM in the deltoid region, as measured by CTL activity directed to canarypox and HIV-1 env, gag and pol gene products [ Time Frame: Throughout study ]

Immunogenicity of SC vaccination with four doses of vCP205 administered in the groin area versus four doses administered IM in the deltoid region, as measured by anti-HIV-1 directed CD4+ T cell proliferative response to soluble p24 antigen [ Time Frame: Throughout study ]

Immunogenicity of SC vaccination with four doses of vCP205 administered in the groin area versus four doses administered IM in the deltoid region, as measured by CD8+ T cell specificity for HIV-1 epitopes [ Time Frame: Throughout study ]

Participants will receive vaccine injections in the groin area or the upper arm

Biological: ALVAC-HIV (vCP205)

Canarypox virus vector vaccine

Placebo Comparator: 2

Participants will receive vaccine placebo injections in the groin area or the upper arm

Biological: ALVAC-HIV (vCP205)

Canarypox virus vector vaccine placbo

Detailed Description:

HIV is most commonly transmitted via a mucosal surface. The mucosal lining is a potential site of both humoral and cellular protection through the activity of B lymphocytes, activated memory T lymphocytes, secretory IgA, and antigen presenting cells. In addition to systemic immunity, a preventive HIV vaccine should induce immune responses at the mucosal surfaces that are portals of HIV entry into the body.

Targeted lymph node immunization involves vaccine injection into the subcutaneous tissue near a lymph node. This strategy has proven effective in the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)/rhesus macaque model. The iliac and inguinal lymph nodes in the groin are the primary draining lymph nodes of the genitourinary and rectal tracts. This study will evaluate and compare the safety and immunogenicity of ALVAC-HIV (vCP205) when administered subcutaneously in the groin and intramuscularly in the deltoid region. ALVAC-HIV (vCP205) is a canarypox virus vector vaccine expressing portions of the gp120, Gag, and Pol genes.

Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to receive vaccine or placebo injections in the groin area or the upper arm. All participants will have three baseline visits for blood tests and sigmoidoscopies to measure baseline immune functions. After these visits, participants will receive weekly injections for 4 weeks. Groin injections will be given subcutaneously (under the skin) and upper arm injections will be given intramuscularly (into the muscle). Participants will have follow-up visits 5 and 11 months after the last immunization. Participants will have blood draws and sigmoidoscopies and will receive HIV risk reduction counseling throughout the study. Total length of participation will be approximately 14 months. Participants may continue to contact the study for HIV testing and study-related concerns for 1 year after study participation.

Eligibility

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Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 60 Years (Adult)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

HIV uninfected

Low risk for acquiring HIV-1 (no sexually transmitted disease within 1 year of study entry, no history of injection drug use, no sex with an HIV infected individual or active injection drug user within 6 months of study entry, no unsafe sexual activity with unknown partners) or mutually monogamous relationship with a known HIV seronegative partner (per report) for 6 months prior to study entry

Willing to abstain from receptive anal intercourse during the 14 months of the study

Available for follow-up during the 14 months of the study

Acceptable methods of contraception

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant or lactating woman

Allergy to eggs or neomycin

Live attenuated vaccines within 60 days of study. Medically indicated subunit or killed vaccines (e.g., influenza, pneumococcal) are not exclusionary, but should be given at least 1 month prior to study immunizations.

Gastrointestinal complaints such as inflammatory bowel disease or chronic diarrhea

Immunosuppression of any type, including those related to lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, leukemia, lymphoma, generalized malignancy, agammaglobulinemia, and therapy with alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or radiation

Use of immunosuppressive medications within 6 months prior to study entry

Thyroid disease

Unstable asthma

Exposure to or active tuberculosis

Seizure disorders

Bleeding disorders

Splenectomy

Hypertension (blood pressure less than 150/100 if on medication)

Medical or psychiatric condition or occupational responsibilities which preclude participant's compliance with the study; specifically excluded are people with a history of suicide attempts, recent suicidal ideation, or who have past or present psychosis.